Rural and volunteer fire departments from 40 counties including Jackson have been awarded more than $284,000 in Indiana Department of Natural Resources Volunteer Fire Assistance grants.

The grants, announced by DNR director Cameron Clark, are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

The awarded grants ranged from $1,225 to $5,000 and were given to 64 departments.

Grants may be used for training, installation of dry hydrants, or to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires.

Jackson County township voluteer fire departments receiving grants were Owen-Salt Creek Fire Department, $4,995 for safety, and Hamilton, $1,985 for water handling. Vernon Township Fire Department in Jennings County also received $5,000 for safety and Campbell Township in that county received $5,000 for radios.

DNR Forestry staff reviewed grant applications and selected recipients on the basis of population density, acres of public wildlands protected, and wildland fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters.

Fire departments interested in applying for VFA grants should contact Mark Huter, acting program coordinator, DNR Fire Control Headquarters, 6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN, 46151, or call 765-342-4701.